flung down the pen and took up the sword.
His first move was towards Babyan's stronghold, Babyan being one of the great Matabele chiefs--a chief great in the glorious days of Lobengula--and who now occupied the central and important impi in the Matopos.

This work was well done, the enemy's exact whereabouts were ascertained, and the scouting ended in a glorious gallop back to camp after emptying a few guns into a party of savages attempting to cut off Baden-Powell's party.

After this came battle.
In the moonlight of the 19th July the little force, nearly a thousand strong, moved out into the Matopos, Baden-Powell going on alone as guide.

He went alone because he feared to have his attention distracted by a companion, thereby losing his bearings.

There was something of a weird and delightful feeling, he says, in mouching along alone, with a dark, silent square of men and horses looming behind one.